How to Find the Best Home Gym Equipment
Home gym equipment is an expensive investment, but it's cheaper in the long run than paying for gym memberships. Before you shop determine what kind of exercise you'd like do and the space you have available.
If you are limited in space, choose compact equipment such as the Bells of Steel Cable Tower or a smart home fitness system like Tonal.
Space
A gym that is equipped at home can make it much easier to follow your training plan. If you're short on time or don't have the time go to the gym, or don't like crowds, you can dedicate an area in your home or garage to exercise at your own pace.
It is crucial to remember that you'll likely have to spend some money to create your ideal training space, depending on the size of your space and the equipment you choose to purchase. It is a good idea as well, to start with a smaller amount and then gradually increase the amount of equipment to figure out what you require.
The ideal equipment for your home gym needs to provide a variety of workouts for the main muscle groups. A power rack is a piece of equipment that lets you perform bench presses, lat pulldowns, and squats. Many of them, like the SR-4000 from REP Fitness, are built to be as compact as is possible without sacrificing functionality and durability. It has a 2-post profile that reduces its footprint and is compatible with a variety of accessories that can enhance its capacity.
You can also maximize your space by choosing equipment that can be stacked, like the TRX system. These portable suspension trainers were developed by Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick to be used in the field. They're a convenient and easy method of getting an all-body workout on the move. They can be nested and folded to save space, and they can even have attachments that allow you to concentrate on particular muscle groups or to add additional resistance.
Another versatile option is a vibrating plate that can be used to enhance bodyweight workouts and offer a new challenge for advanced lifters. For instance, the AXV Vibration Plate comes with the option of a remote control as well as 120 speed settings that allow for a customized experience. You can also pair it with resistance bands to target different muscle groups or a bungee cord to provide an element of dynamic movement.
Weight Capacity
The size of your home gym equipment can range from a basic power tower to a smart home gym. However, regardless of the type you choose, you should make sure that the weight capacity is high enough to perform many different exercises. Beginners can begin with a basic set of dumbbells or barbells to build upper-body strength. They also work the back muscles. If you're a serious lifter look into a powerful power rack that can handle large dumbbells, as well with a variety of other attachments, such as lever arms dip bars as well as a landmine-like attachment, seal row pad, and more.
A bench should also be included on your list of essentials for your home gym, and if you're a space-conscious lifter, consider an adjustable bench that can perform incline and decline presses without taking up too much room in your garage. A bench with a flat surface can also work, but you'll need to add dumbbells or barbells if you're planning to perform isolation exercises such as chest press or bicep curls.
If you are a fan of exercise that is functional, a plate stack resistance trainer is the perfect piece of equipment to bring to your home. This kind of machine is designed to target multiple muscle groups at once using a combination of squats, bench presses, and pull ups. Functional trainers come with various options. They have cable attachments for tricep flyes and pushdowns, as well as the capability to alter the resistance yourself.
It may seem obvious but the equipment you select will have a significant impact on how enjoyable and effective your workouts are. You'll need to make sure that the equipment that you purchase is made from materials that are durable and can endure regular use. It's important for budget-conscious people to select equipment made from high-quality materials.
If you're on the tightest budget, you should consider buying a home gym that's a mix of an exercise bike and a rowing machine. This type of home fitness equipment provides an ideal workout for your whole body, and could save money over time.
Versatility
If you have a dedicated space for a gym at home or you plan to work out in your living room, there are many options to meet your fitness goals and budget. To narrow down your search, start by assessing the space you have in your home and the exercises you'd like to focus on most. Then, think about what type of equipment can best meet your requirements. A Life Fitness G7 Home Gym is a good example. It offers more than 55 exercises and user-defined movements with a footprint smaller than a queen-sized bed. Some machines can be folded and stowed to make room.
If you're looking to stick on a budget, consider options like resistance bands, which can be used for both strength training and stretching and are also compact and travel-friendly. They are also a great addition to your existing set-up by adding lightweight resistance bands to a dumbbell set, or pairing them with a bench to perform lower body exercises.
A quality exercise mat can add to the fitness of your home. It provides a stable surface for exercises that require standing, and also reduces the risk of slipping. The majority of mats are lightweight and portable so they can be easily stored when not being used. A pair of adjustable dumbbells will provide flexibility to your fitness center. You can perform exercises like bench presses or rowing with dumbbells while sitting, adjusting the weights according to your fitness levels.
Smart home equipment for gym, like the Peloton Guide, can be an excellent addition to your fitness center at home. It offers a variety exercise programs that are guided with a tiny footprint. It is also easy to use and compatible with a wide variety of televisions and monitors.
The REP PR-4000, a good value home gym, is a multi-functional machine that lets you perform Nordic hamstring lifts, glute-ham stretches and hip thrusts. It can be used by people who are taller than 7 feet and can be adjusted to 12 different levels.
Aesthetics
There's no doubt that home gym equipment looks a lot different from what it was in the past. Certain brands feature elegant designs and integrate with fitness apps to appeal to those who value aesthetics as much as function. While other equipment is now so extensive that it could even replace an exercise session (and even track and adjust to your fitness goals).
We've seen an increase in the number of gyms at home that are affordable and compact. For instance, we like the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical due to its low cost and compact footprint. The elliptical comes with preset exercises, a shorter stride and is perfect for those living in apartments or other small spaces.
Another great home gym option we love is the Torque F9 Fold-Away Functional Trainer. This full-trainer has a compact footprint but still is powerful enough to exercise your entire body. Additionally, it comes with two doors that open to keep the machine safe from pets or children. The Torque also comes with a wood grain look to increase the aesthetic appeal of your space.
If you're looking for a home gym solution that can do more than just monitor your progress, consider adding a power rack to your setup. Like stationary bikes exercise bikes suggests, these racks allow you to lift weights through a variety moves, allowing you to develop a serious amount of strength and endurance. The Bells of Steel Manticore Power Rack starts at $600, but the price may increase based on the customizations. It is also easy to use and has a solid design, which is crucial for heavy lifting.
Of course, no home gym setup is complete without the essentials that include dumbbells and a stool. While the standard bench can be purchased at any home-supply shop, we recommend going with one specifically designed for home gyms. The benches that come with these models have a few tweaks that make them ideal for workouts at home, such as a durable rubber coating and a moderate knurls to stop your hands from sliding off the bar after you've been working out for a while.